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Three state representatives from the Rio Grande Valley - Roberto Gutierrez, Kino Flores and Juan Hinojosa - were honored at a "Texas Legislator Appreciation Day" Feb. 19 at The University of Texas-Pan American.

"What we really wanted to do here was have a day...to show them our appreciation," said Dr. Miguel A. Nevárez, president of UT Pan American. "They have been very supportive in the number of programs that they supported in order to get parity of education here in South Texas (through) the South Texas Border Initiative. This is an opportunity for us to get them reacquainted with some of the programs and facilities we have under STBI."

After a brief welcome, the legislators toured classrooms and special centers at the university, including a visit to the Speech and Hearing Clinic by Rep. Hinojosa, a discussion with staff at the Center for International Studies by Rep. Flores, and visits to classrooms and distance learning rooms in the colleges of Business Administration and Education by Rep. Gutierrez.

Later in the morning, the representatives met with students in a round table discussion and were the guests of honor at a luncheon at which Nevárez commented on legislative issues for the university and Faculty Senate Chair Gerald Brazier and Staff Senate Chair Jim Odom described the recent achievements of individual faculty, students and staff members.